Janelly Farias Rodríguez (born February 12, 1990) is an American-born Mexican footballer who plays as centre-back for Club América of the Liga MX Femenil and the Mexico women's national team. She participated in Exatlon Estados Unidos season 1 and was a Commentator/Analyst for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup for Telemundo. She uses her platform to promote inclusivity and advocate for LGBT+ persons. She is openly gay.
Personal information | |||
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Full name | Janelly Farías Rodríguez[1] | ||
Date of birth | (1990-02-12) February 12, 1990 (age 32)[1] | ||
Place of birth | Santa Ana, California, United States[2] | ||
Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)[3] | ||
Position(s) | Centre back[4][1] / defensive midfielder[5] | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | América | ||
Number | 6 | ||
Youth career | |||
2006 | Inland United SC[6] | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2008 | New Mexico Lobos[7][8] | ||
2011 | UC Irvine Anteaters | 13 | (2) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2016–2017 | San Diego SeaLions | 9 | (2[9][10]) |
2017 | Apollon Ladies | ||
2019 | LA Galaxy OC | 1 | (0) |
2019–2020 | Guadalajara | 21 | (3) |
2021– | América | 66 | (9) |
National team‡ | |||
2006 | Mexico U-20 | 3 | (0) |
2007– | Mexico | 13 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 July 2019 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 April 2021 |
After publicly coming out as lesbian while playing college soccer, the rejection she suffered from her family originally led her to quit football. After a few years, however, during which her family gradually reconnected with her and in which she was inspired by the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, she made the decision to return to the sport.[11]
On 28 June 2019, Farías joined Liga MX Femenil side CD Guadalajara.[12]
Farías represented Mexico at the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship. She made her senior debut on 1 April 2007.[1] She is currently on the full women’s Mexico national team and looking to participate in the 2020 Olympic qualifying CONCACAF TOURNAMENT.
Farias is openly lesbian.[13] She actively advocates for equality and uses her platform to promote visibility and empowerment for the LGBT+ community. In October 2020, she led a talk for Harvard University titled "Navigating the Borders of Gender, Culture, Language, and Sexuality in Sports and Beyond."
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Club América (women) – current squad | |
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